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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Deven do when after knocking on the door a voice asks if the knocker is a fool?

2. What does Deven wonder about regarding the paper he used to clean up Nur's vomit at the end of Chapter 3?

3. What does Imtiaz tell Nur he cannot do without the money she has earned performing that evening?

4. What does Deven's bus seat-mate say is the only thing that exists between life and death?

5. Why did Deven's mother send him to live in Delhi when he was young?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what Deven sees when he first enters Nur's room in Chapter 2?

2. Who is Mrs. Bhalla? What does she say to Deven when he arrives home after his lectures in Chapter 4?

3. What is the guru-shishya tradition and why does Murad mention it to Deven in Chapter 5?

4. What excuse does Deven give to Nur for why he teaches Hindi rather than work in Urdu?

5. What does Nur tell Deven about Imtiaz when they speak after her performance in Chapter 5?

6. Describe Deven's walk with his son, Manu at the end of Chapter 4.

7. Why does Deven begin to question agreeing to interview Nur in Chapter 2 while he rides the bus to Delhi?

8. What does Murad suggest Deven do in order to successfully get an interview with Nur, while continuing his college work as well?

9. Who performs on the divan at Nur's when Deven visits in Chapter 5? How does Deven feel about this person and performance?

10. What is Chandni Chowk like? What is Deven surprised Nur lives there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing color imagery in In Custody. Indicate examples of imagery in the text and identify possible meanings.

Essay Topic 2

Even though this novel has many characters, what makes Deven the protagonist of this novel? Compare his role in the novel to definitions of protagonists.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

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